SRINAGAR
Canvas turned bloody recently with the paintings of Kashmir-born American professor Sadaf Munshi who portrayed “suffering” of Gaza and Kashmir inside Jammu and Kashmir Cultural Academy office in Lal Mandi! The two day event saw Munshi displaying her “work of grief”. But not everyone visiting her art exhibition was a connoisseur. Most of the visitors left the room, whispering: her work is an “abstract display”! But Munshi who believes art could be a powerful medium of expression of human sufferings has indeed taken home a mixed bag for her ambitious display!
Udhampur
First they requested for it. Then, they pleaded for it. And finally they pressed for it by putting up protesting faces. Well, cops from valley seldom register their own protest in the state where they seem to have an endless rendezvous with civil confrontations. But the 200 odd cops from valley reportedly broke loose on Thursday when they went for “hunger strike” after allegedly being denied vacation by authorities at a training institute in Udhampur district. The cops cried hoarse ‘regional discrimination’ after their vacation was stalled while the same was granted to their counterparts from Jammu province. Now, this cop conflict certainly demystified a curious case of events in state!
Srinagar
SMC Commissioner is finally acknowledging something which many say is no revelation at all! Though Dr GN Qasba is no whistle blower, but he couldn’t maintain what he was able to maintain so far: a “scandalous” silence over a rot in SMC! His long standing stance shattered after the arrest of one of its enforcement officer while accepting bribe surfaced. Now, the presence of tainted officials in SMC has brought disrepute to the institution, quipped Dr Qasba. Many believe, as a face saving measure, SMC Commissioner prepared a list of corrupt officers against whom complaints are pouring on daily basis. The arrest, it seems, has swung the municipal body into action. At least, the fourth estate was made to believe so!
JAMMU
Models from Europe and Russia were part of a local pomp and show; doing, what they do best: a catwalk. As these models walked the ramp in Jammu, many were busy doing lip service: it is a refreshing change for state of Jammu and Kashmir. Some forty local designers showcased their collections in the fashion show ‘Arts And Crafts of Jammu and Kashmir.’ Models walked the ramp carrying Kashmiri musical instruments like Tumbaknari and Kangri. So next time, don’t be surprised if the ramp trends with some rumbling outlook. Well, don’t cross your fingers in anticipation, as they say: weirdness is other name of creativity in the pompous world.
MUMBAI
It was another instance of forced u-turn for a rights activist visiting India. The latest in the list was Manila-based Secretary General of Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) who was deported by the officials after her arrival at the Mumbai International Airport. But two days after, Mary Aileen Diez Bacalso said that India was not happy with the group’s work on enforced disappearances, mass graves and over the “constant persecution of human rights defenders” in Kashmir. Mary said that she was not planning to go to valley, but thought that the authorities were paranoid of her K-visit. But for psychologists: being paranoid isn’t a healthy mental sign. At least, this is what Mary wants us to believe!
KAUSAR NAG
The lake which found itself at the centre of storm is reluctant to turn placid as of now. Now, the reports suggest that the high-altitude Kausar Naag lake in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district was part of a major worldwide study carried out in 1932 under Nobel laureate Dr A H Compton to know the nature of the cosmic rays. In the study, according to various research papers, the renowned scientists across the world were studying the nature of the cosmic rays at different latitudes, longitudes, and altitudes including at the attainable heights of the Himalayas. One shouldn’t wonder in awe if the lake throws another surprise out of the bag.
A record number of 22490 pilgrims paid obeisance at the temple of Mata Chandi at Machail recently.
Banks operating in J&K State have extended credit aggregating Rs.2,570.02 Crore to 92,135 beneficiaries both under Priority and Non-priority sector during first quarter ended June 2014 of the FY 2014-15.